Inspirational Leaders

Nick Chellsen, in his book, A Leader Worth Imitating: 33 Leadership Principles From the Life of Jesus writes, “There are two reasons someone might follow a leader: Obligation or inspiration. Obligation is when you have to follow a leader. Inspiration is when you want to follow a leader.”

As Pastor of this great and historic congregation, my chief aim is to be the kind of leader that inspires our congregation to impactful ministry to the glory of God. On this day where we install our 2024 officers, it is my deepest hope and prayer that each of our leaders would possess and exude the kind of qualities that foster inspiration rather than obligation.

As I’ve been thinking about the difference between leaders that inspire ministry versus leaders that provoke obligatory service, the difference lies not in human action, but rather in the person and work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate inspiration. In Hebrew, the Holy Spirit is Ruach (wind, breath) and in Greek, the Holy Spirit is Pneuma (spirit, breath, unseen force). If we are going to engage in inspired ministry, as we go higher in worship, deeper in discipleship, and wider in fellowship for far reaching impact for Christ, we can only do so by the power of the Holy Spirit. So I charge our leaders as Paul wrote in Ephesians, “Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah